#SundayThought: ‘How boredom helps you do your best thinking’

‘Always keep that little place inside you, where the magic grows alive.’

Our brains are powerful things, in our busy lives our brains could do with a little time out, a little boredom. Many find running helps clear the mind as does folding the laundry as your mind is allowed to wander…

“The average person checks email 74 times a day, and switches tasks on their computer 566 times a day.”

Dr. Daniel Levitin: “Every time you shift your attention from one thing to another, the brain has to engage a neurochemical switch that uses up nutrients in the brain to accomplish that. So if you’re attempting to multitask, you know, doing four or five things at once, you’re not actually doing four or five things at once, because the brain doesn’t work that way. Instead, you’re rapidly shifting from one thing to the next, depleting neural resources as you go.”

So taking time out can increase creativity, deeper thinking, reflection, imagination and process those niggling thoughts in the back of your mind. Switch off digital, get outdoors, engage in the moment rather than constantly switching between different stimuli.

At this time of year feeling super tired and stressed by Christmas Parties, shopping and late nights is common. Find 10 minutes and look at your diary, blocking out a couple of evenings where you can give yourself some good self care, rest and sleep. The key is to take time to pause without external stimulants to check in with where you are and how you are feeling.